As Inessa entered the class, Dante couldn’t suppress a small smirk, Inessa was definitely an attractive girl, and all the memories and desire they had shared over the summer, it was something Dante wouldn’t forget. Dante wouldn’t be Dante if the idea of a forbidden love hadn’t appealed to him.
His mind drifted back to those summer evenings, the way her laughter would light up the night and how her touch had felt electric against his skin. The thrill of sneaking around, of keeping their relationship a secret from Renlin, had only added to the allure. There was something intoxicating about the risk, the danger of being caught, and the intense connection they had shared.
However, Dante’s smirk faded slightly as he caught the tension in Inessa’s fake smile and heard her sarcastic remark. The memory of his promise to Renlin, his best friend and Inessa’s brother, and especially him breaking that promise, now weighed heavily on him. He couldn’t afford to let their summer fling complicate things now that they were back in the school environment.
“Looks like fate has a twisted sense of humor,” he replied, keeping his tone light and casual despite the underlying tension. He forced a relaxed smile, trying to mask his own internal conflict. “Guess we’ll just have to survive this class together.”
He noticed her subtle attempt to find a seat away from him, and he understood her reasons. The summer had been a whirlwind of fun and spontaneity, but it was over now, and they both had to navigate the boundaries they had crossed.
“Inessa,” he said, his voice dropping to a more serious, almost whispering tone, “let’s just keep things cool, alright? We don’t need any drama. Summer was fun, but we’re back to reality now.” He glanced around the room, making sure no one was paying too much attention to their interaction. “I’ll keep my distance if that’s what you want. Just… no hard feelings, okay?”
He leaned back in his chair, giving her space to decide where to sit, but he couldn’t help the pang of regret that settled in his chest. The connection they had shared was undeniable, but for the sake of his friendship with Renlin and to avoid any unnecessary complications, he knew they had to keep things under wraps.
@Madilnel - Inessa